The FTSE 100 traded lower on Thursday after three days of gains, lagging Europe mainly because six major constituents including HSBC (-0.7%), Shell (-1.3%), BP (-0.4%), Rio Tinto (-3.6%), Unilever (-1%), and GSK (-0.7%) traded ex-dividend. Miners were also a drag, with iron ore down ahead of Chinese steel output data and Rio Tinto off 3.6%. Offsetting some losses, Admiral surged 7% after posting better-than-expected profit despite an 18-month slump in car insurance prices, and Aviva rose 3.7% as it reported strong operating profit growth, wealth division inflows, and progress integrating Direct Line. Meanwhile, stronger-than-forecast UK GDP data added to the Bank of England’s hawkish bias.